Nyheter från Sverige

Although the newspaper predicts a warm weekend – relatively speaking – it was a cold day today. It was a day to stay indoors reading, listening to music, and occasionally look out the window.

If I was 22 years old I would have spent the day working on a small volume of melancholic poetry about lost love and regret. But as I’m 44 and now realise there’s little value in regret, I read one of Stockholm’s freebie newspapers and bought a copy of the gossip magazine, Se & Hör instead.

The big question they’re asking this week is when Prince Carl Philip will get married. Both his sisters, including the Crown Princess (the next queen) are getting married this year, so of course the magazine is keen to know when he will follow.

The magazine also reveals that DJ Kleerup (I love his work) recently tested positive for cocaine; that Alcazar star Tess Merkel’s life isn’t all glamour, “that children are the whole world for her”; and, that according to my horoscope I need to have peace and quiet around me to recover.

Which, of course is absolutely true. And I guess that’s what these days in Saltsjöbaden are all about.

Oh baby it is cold today

Land, water, ice

Makes me wonder how Sweden has produced so many great tennis players

Love the colours

Time for a dive

Withered autumn leaves

LIbrary, pool room and bar in the Grand Hotel at Saltsjobaden

Inside a copy of Nordiska Familjebok which I think is the local Encyclopedia Brittanica

Books on the library shelf

The news from Sweden today – predicting a warm weekend

A type of cola especially for easter

Swedish meatballs

Swedish equivalent to vegemite. Not really, but still salty and tasty.

The Grand Hotel

What I read today

So today I’ve read for a while, I’ve gone for a couple of walks, visited the supermarket, and accompanied by a fine musical soundtrack – which included a lot of the Swedish jazz band, Bo Kaspers Orkester as well as my new favourite Salem Al Fakir – I’ve had a really lovely day absorbing myself in Swedish culture.

Though born and raised on Widjabul land (Lismore), for the most part this blog is written on Gadigal land (Sydney). I am proud to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. I pay my respect to Elders past, present and emerging.